tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21748046727036957402019-02-21T02:36:19.591-07:00Email Marketing Blog I Email ContactJasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159365965168842776noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-14074142245589825322015-01-14T17:12:00.000-07:002015-01-14T17:12:28.744-07:003, 2, 1 - ACTION!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0eEnEd9JNUA/VLcBk7HwiwI/AAAAAAAAAUU/_0zB30xH0Ug/s1600/dontwait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0eEnEd9JNUA/VLcBk7HwiwI/AAAAAAAAAUU/_0zB30xH0Ug/s1600/dontwait.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It’s that time of year again. You know - the time of year where we all resolve to change&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">our lives for the better by setting goals that we just know we’ll be able to reach this year,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">even if we were unable to reach them the year before. It’s particularly interesting to me&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">that there are millions of people out there, all with different backgrounds and life stories,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">yet the goals we all make at the beginning of the year are strangely similar. According&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">to a survey done last January by the University of Scranton, the top three New Years&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Resolutions for 2014 were:</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1. Lose Weight</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">2. Get Organized</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3. Spend Less, Save More</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Sound familiar?&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When it comes to email marketing, the stretch from our personal resolutions to our&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">marketing resolutions isn’t as far as it would seem. While email marketing may not help&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">you stop smoking or fall in love (also common resolutions), good practices may leave&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">you with extra time and money to do both! A slight tweak in the above list will give any&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">email marketer a giant leap toward a healthy and happy business year.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>1. BANISH THE BULK</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Now is a good time to go through your subscriber list. Look for any subscribers who&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">aren’t opening or clicking emails. Also look for email addresses with glaring errors&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">(tomandjane@gmil.com, for example). Removing names might seem to go against&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">everything your gut tells you about growing your email list, but continually sending&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">emails to uninterested subscribers could run the potential risk of your email being&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">reported as spam, which could cause big problems with your deliverability rates in the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">future. So, cut the fat!</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>2. GET ORGANIZED</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Email Contact's online calendar allows you to easily share your company's upcoming&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">classes, meetings, and other important events. You can quickly and effortlessly&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">add activities to your calendar at any time as well as customize its appearance with&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">personalized colors. You can also provide instant access to subscribers and visitors alike&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">by adding a link to your website and in your emails.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>3. SPEND LESS, SAVE MORE</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">According to the Direct Marketing Association, email marketing has an ROI (Return&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">on Investment) of nearly 4300%. Harvard Business Review tells us that direct mail&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">marketing, on average, costs 100 times more than email marketing. Done correctly, email&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">marketing can allow a business owner to spend less on marketing and to invest more back&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">into the business, resulting in a quicker growth rate.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As with personal resolutions, business resolutions are only as good as the action plan.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">There’s no time like the present to sit down, set some goals and then get to work.</span>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17644275227562814957noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-41673392605276684182014-12-10T11:26:00.001-07:002014-12-10T12:28:14.018-07:00Last Minute Holiday Email Marketing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yn9PNqm6Geg/VIiVlhs5auI/AAAAAAAAATQ/ZV9XECdepGs/s1600/santa-time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yn9PNqm6Geg/VIiVlhs5auI/AAAAAAAAATQ/ZV9XECdepGs/s1600/santa-time.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We have all done it -- waited til the last minute to pick up those few remaining gifts.&nbsp;According to the National Retail Federation, over 50 percent of holiday shoppers have not finished their shopping a week before Christmas. This makes the last few weeks before the holidays a whirlwind of last-minute shopping.</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Make sure that you don’t miss out on these last minute shoppers. – instead, reach out to them in an effort to increase holiday sales. T</span><span style="background-color: white;">o take advantage of this last-minute, holiday frenzy, try some of these smart and simple emailing tactics:</span></span><br /><br /><ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Increase correspondence</span></strong></li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><strong>﻿</strong><strong>﻿</strong>If there is ever a time to increase email frequency, it is the last two to three weeks before Christmas.&nbsp;It's the one time of the year when too many is better than too few. Make sure you send reminders about last-minute deals, shipping deadlines, and other important events.<br /><br />Since most of you are probably&nbsp;just as busy as your customers, increasing your email correspondence may sound overwhelming. However, you can&nbsp;prepare your emails beforehand and then set a date and time for your email&nbsp;newsletter to be sent&nbsp;out with Email Contact's scheduling feature.<br />&nbsp; </span><li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Offer gift cards</span></strong></li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Gift cards are the ultimate "last minute gift". They make it easy for "late" or "lazy" shoppers to finish buying gifts. To make it even more simple, offer gift cards online so buyers don't even have to leave the comfort of their home to finish shopping.<br /><br /></span><li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Communicate urgency</span></strong></li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">During the holiday season, there is a lot of activity going on and it is easy to forget things. It's important to remind shoppers that time is running out to get their holiday shopping done. Remind them about important deadlines such as the last day&nbsp;for guaranteed delivery,&nbsp;final days for certain deals<br />&nbsp; </span><li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Promote speedy delivery</span></strong></li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If it is possible,&nbsp;offer faster delivery options as time runs out. Examples include: "Buy online, pick up in store", "Discounted or free overnight/expedited shipping".&nbsp;If&nbsp;their delivery will not arrive by December 25th,&nbsp;offer to send an e-gift announcement&nbsp;explaining that&nbsp;it will arrive sometime after Christmas.<br />&nbsp; </span><li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Suggest last-minute gift ideas</span></strong></li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Offering easy and affordable last-minute gift ideas is a great way to&nbsp;increase your sales as the Christmas season draws to a close. Give your subscribers suggestions about how to use your products as great holiday gifts. For example, make lists of products that are perfect for a husband, sister, child, etc. or point out specific products that can be combined to create the perfect present.</span></ul>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17644275227562814957noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-22811339474670899382014-11-04T10:31:00.000-07:002014-11-04T11:08:42.021-07:00Increase your CTR<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">You’ve mastered the art of the perfect subject line, figured out how to prevent the junk filter from snatching up your email, and gathered an email list that loves to open your emails. Now how do you get them to click through to drive traffic to your website?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Increasing your click-through rate is as easy as C. T. R.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">C</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>reate Curiosity</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Fn-5YhYYiM/VFkPbVK-2pI/AAAAAAAAAPc/4LwEywAGTAk/s1600/monster-craft.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Fn-5YhYYiM/VFkPbVK-2pI/AAAAAAAAAPc/4LwEywAGTAk/s1600/monster-craft.png" height="283" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">We all have a curious side. Capitalize on that with copy that will entice the reader to click a link in order to satisfy their curiosity. This sample from the popular blog “How Does She?” is a perfect example:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">What could #15 be? The only way to find out is to…you guessed it…CLICK THROUGH! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Lists are a great way to give your reader a lot of information in short period of time, while providing the perfect avenue for a truly click-worthy teaser.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ell them to click</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Remember that this isn’t a webpage. Links hidden in pictures or subtext will most likely be ignored. You have very limited time and space in which to grab the reader’s attention, so be bold!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x2HeRJSKjIc/VFkQA3Wv9cI/AAAAAAAAAPk/j4MZoUtmTwc/s1600/GoHere.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x2HeRJSKjIc/VFkQA3Wv9cI/AAAAAAAAAPk/j4MZoUtmTwc/s1600/GoHere.png" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yU5zwYkjK0Y/VFkU-4w7zlI/AAAAAAAAAP8/BHhYfBdTp0g/s1600/Recipe.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yU5zwYkjK0Y/VFkU-4w7zlI/AAAAAAAAAP8/BHhYfBdTp0g/s1600/Recipe.png" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Notice that this ad used the words “Go HERE” instead of “Click HERE”. This was a very deliberate attempt to avoid the spam filter. Too many links and over usage of the word “click” are common triggers and will be sorted into a junk folder.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Another fantastic example is this one, from The Recipe Critic. The link to the recipe could easily have been hidden in the picture or linked to the title. Instead, it was clearly stated – Recipe Here.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">R</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>equest a Response</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Engaging the reader and making him feel a part of the conversation can go a long way toward getting him to click through your email. Ask a question. Post a survey. Hold a contest for the most creative response. Make him feel needed. Since the reader will have to click a link to your webpage in order to respond, this is an effective way of directing him to any other information you would like him to notice. Make good use of that landing page!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Just a few simple steps should make a dramatic difference in your CTR. Give them a try!</span></div>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17644275227562814957noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-25973640195582078332014-10-02T08:55:00.000-06:002014-10-02T09:11:56.568-06:00Temper the Email Storm<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WY070U94LTg/VC1q1P8CoDI/AAAAAAAAAXc/GdkxESuEAMQ/s1600/90270945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WY070U94LTg/VC1q1P8CoDI/AAAAAAAAAXc/GdkxESuEAMQ/s1600/90270945.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Today is one of those days where it just seems like a good idea to curl up in a comfortable chair and read a book and never get up. It’s been raining for days. Not just a drizzly, misty kind of rain, but the kind of downpour that keeps everyone inside. Parking lots have transformed into ponds and roads into rivers. It would take something of near life-or-death importance to make me venture out the front door. Everything short of that will have to wait for another, less monsoonal day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Since it’s quiet, and I’m obviously not going anywhere, I thought I’d take a little bit of time to do some inbox maintenance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Would you believe that I have over 13,000 unread emails? I KNOW! It surprised me, too. Because I use a Gmail account, my incoming email is sorted into three categories – Primary, Social, and Promotions – before I even turn on my computer. Somehow, Google knows which emails I am interested in opening and which ones I’d rather save for later. As a busy mom, I’m delighted by the time-saving efficiency of this process. As an email marketer, however, I’m terrified. In my Promotions tab alone, there are 10,935 emails that didn’t make Primary folder cut. That’s 10,395 missed advertising opportunities. 10,395 wasted marketing moments (assuming it only took a moment to create each of those marketing emails). Like I said, terrifying. As in straight-out-of-a-horror-flick scary.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zPxkX_xGGfc/VC1pFcIdG-I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/5kip8_jhYPQ/s1600/example.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zPxkX_xGGfc/VC1pFcIdG-I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/5kip8_jhYPQ/s1600/example.png" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/> </v:formulas> <v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/> <o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/></v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute; margin-left:-81pt;margin-top:11.8pt;width:585pt;height:60.9pt;z-index:251657216'> <v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/holladay/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0clip_image001.png" o:title="Yikes"/> <w:wrap type="square"/></v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">How did this happen? I’m sure that at first, as the emails trickled in, I told myself that I would eventually take a look at them. Then came soccer practice and meetings and dinner prep, and soon the trickle turned into a downpour – until I became so overwhelmed that the only way to remedy the problem was to wipe the slate clean. 10,395 pieces of virtual trash.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">So how can you, as fellow email marketers, ensure that your email campaigns don’t suffer the same fate? Here are a few tips to help you sort it out – before Gmail does:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">First, consider sending a plea to your readership, asking them to manually change the settings so that anything from you will automatically land in the Primary folder. This will only work, however, if they’re already opening your messages.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Keep links to a minimum. It seems that Google knows that most friendly emails contain one link or less. Take the following email, for example:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KA1tXfmlDao/VC1h7BJwkhI/AAAAAAAAAXA/7NxyhwGUXrA/s1600/usuvsbyu.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KA1tXfmlDao/VC1h7BJwkhI/AAAAAAAAAXA/7NxyhwGUXrA/s1600/usuvsbyu.png" height="320" width="248" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_s1027" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;margin-left:0;margin-top:0;width:257.25pt;height:380.25pt; z-index:251658240'> <v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/holladay/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0clip_image003.png" o:title=""/> <w:wrap type="square"/></v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;">Since I purposely signed up to be included on this email list, it surprised me that it would have been sorted into the Promotions tab. One of the triggers seems to be the numerous links included in the body of the email. There’s a link to different USU departments. There’s a link to buy tickets. There’s a link to the Scholarship Fund. Perhaps it would have made the Primary inbox cut had it contained only one link to a webpage from which all of the other links could be accessed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The pictures could also be problematic. Google is adept at spotting pictures used in headers or in signature lines. The filter can usually tell, just by the type of pictures used, whether it is a personal or advertorial email.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Keep the body of the email very simple and straightforward, while directing the recipient to a link from which all other information can be accessed. Make sure you do include something that will catch his or her eye, or the link won’t get clicked.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Experiment! Use one or a combination of some or all of these tips to see if your open rate improves. Request feedback from your customer base, and use their input to make necessary changes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1028"/></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout v:ext="edit"> <o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <!--EndFragment--><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Just like the dreary, rainy weather I’ve been experiencing these past few days, a deluge of emails hits the inbox of every one of your customers on a daily basis. Google’s Gmail filters act as an umbrella, protecting its subscribers from unwanted junk mail. Unfortunately, sometimes legitimate mail gets caught up in the rainstorm and sorted incorrectly. With a little bit of work, you can make sure to put your newsletter and promotional emails right up front where they belong.</span></div>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159365965168842776noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-55650776276211446462014-09-02T09:18:00.001-06:002014-09-02T13:04:58.756-06:00The (Ice) Bucket List<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jbJFbU7fyEw/VAXfFOY0yjI/AAAAAAAAAWU/gW5b0ppPmMQ/s1600/ice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jbJFbU7fyEw/VAXfFOY0yjI/AAAAAAAAAWU/gW5b0ppPmMQ/s1600/ice.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Chances are, unless you’ve been stranded on a deserted island without any contact from the outside world for the past 30 days, you or someone you know has likely participated in one of the most successful marketing campaigns in the history of, well, EVER.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">In the fiscal year ending July 31, 2013, the ALS Association received just over $19 million in donations.&nbsp; Between July 29 and August 29 of this year, nearly 750,000 new donors gave more than $100 million. The reported average donation was $46, with some donors contributing as much as $100,000. To what can this astronomical increase be attributed? A bucket of ice water. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The actual origin of the ALSA Ice Bucket Challenge is a little fuzzy. Some say that a minor-league golfer from Florida might have been the first to dedicate his ice bucket shenanigans to the ALSA and others contend that it was actually a former Boston College baseball player who has ALS himself who really set the viral craze in motion. Whichever is true, one thing is beyond contention – it worked. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Much can be learned from the success of a marketing campaign that shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Here are a few cubes of icy wisdom that can apply to nearly any business model:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">SHOW PASSION<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">People love passion, and passion is difficult to fabricate. Customers (or potential customers) will be able to <i>feel </i>your love for the product or service you are offering if you put your all into it. If you really have passion for what you do, people can’t help but be drawn in. Put aside, for a moment, the drudgery of day-to-day operations and focus on what made you want to start in the first place.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">CREATE A SENSE OF URGENCY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">One of the reasons the Ice Bucket Challenge took off so quickly is that there was a stated deadline. Participants were instructed to complete the challenge within 24 hours. This same method can be employed in every marketing campaign. Make your customers feel as though they will miss out on something special or important if they delay in responding, whether that be rushing into your storefront or responding via email to a limited time offer.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">KEEP IT SIMPLE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">A container. Some ice. Some water. Less than 30 seconds. Things that nearly everyone on the planet has immediate access to. The simplicity of the challenge is astounding. People are busy, and people are distracted. Overcomplicating your marketing campaign will have the opposite effect that you desire. Whatever it is that you’re doing, make it easy on the customer and consume as little of their precious time as possible.&nbsp; Emails should be short and to the point. Signage must make all pertinent information visible at a glance. Simple.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">GET SOCIAL<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">According to Search Engine Journal, 93% of marketers use social media for business. Are you one of them? If not, you may be missing out on the 72% of internet users with social media accounts. There are over one billion users on Facebook alone, not to mention Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and Instagram. Tap into this wellspring of potential subscribers now!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps the biggest lesson from the ALSA Ice Bucket Challenge is that anything is possible. The sky’s the limit! An obscure disease and a little known foundation were thrust into the limelight through a simple and profoundly effective campaign. Who’s to say that the same thing can’t happen to your business?</span><!--EndFragment--></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159365965168842776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-26791046776187565622014-07-31T09:32:00.002-06:002014-07-31T09:32:29.898-06:00Super Subjects<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a3O2UpZSc4Q/U9pgoFYWeTI/AAAAAAAAAWE/atU96iRpsW8/s1600/emailcontact-hero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a3O2UpZSc4Q/U9pgoFYWeTI/AAAAAAAAAWE/atU96iRpsW8/s1600/emailcontact-hero.jpg" height="295" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Everyone dreams about being a superhero at one point in their life. Ok, maybe not everyone, but stay with me for a minute. The ability to fly or see through walls or save the neighborhood with a single wave of a spandex-covered arm has always been appealing to me. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">As a business owner, you don your superhero costume every day in the hope that you will be able to attract loyal customers and watch your business grow in leaps and bounds. If a solid business plan is your base (the spandex jumpsuit, if you will), a well thought-out email marketing campaign is your cape – enabling your Super Business to get off the ground and soar.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Nearly all superheroes, however, have a weakness; Superman had his Kryptonite, Daredevil his background noise, Green Lantern the color yellow, Batman his mortality. They were rendered powerless when these weaknesses were exposed, transforming them from extraordinary to ordinary faster than a speeding bullet.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">So, what is the Kryptonite to your email marketing campaign? It’s that thing that can make any over-worked, ultra-busy, time-deprived person feel so overwhelmed they want to curl up on the couch with a decorative pillow over their face: clutter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>More specifically, inbox clutter. With literally hundreds of emails hitting the inboxes of your clientele every single day, it’s hard to know how to make your emails leap tall buildings in a single bound to stand above the rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Here are a few totally made up and cheesy superheroes to the rescue:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Demographics Girl</span><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">What are your customers interested in?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">What are their needs?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">What is a challenge facing them, and how can you help?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Knowing the answers to these questions can make the difference in your email being trashed or clicked through.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">For example, “7 Time-Saving Tips for Scrapbookers” hits on two important points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>First, it’s obviously targeting a specific demographic, making it less likely to be deleted than a more generic subject line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Second, it addresses a challenge area – saving time.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Personalizer</span><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Everybody wants to feel wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s human nature!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Make your contacts feel as though you are speaking directly to them for best click-through results.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Email Contact gives you the power to personalize your subject line in a variety of ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>By adding one of three variables, you can make the email as personal as you wish:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: large;">%fullname%<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: large;">%firstname%<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: large;">%lastname%<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: large;">For example: Hi %firstname%, this is Heather from Email Contact.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: large;">Using the variable above will fill in the name of the person related to the email address. If the person's name is not available, it will fill in a default name of your choice (i.e. Friend, Customer). Just add the default name in the settings of your Email Contact account.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps your style (or the style of your demographic) is a little less formal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Using the pronoun “you” in the subject line will also get great results:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Our sale starts in just a few hours. Will we be seeing you?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: large;">Or how about “What can YOU do with Email Contact?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Captain Obvious</span><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be clear and concise in your subject line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Make sure the intent of the email is obvious, and try not to embellish or stretch the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Earning the trust of your customers is imperative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>If there’s an offer or contest or invitation in the body of the message, be sure to state it in the subject.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Count</span><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: large;">Use numbers to draw attention and make your email stand out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The goal is to shake up the text a little bit so that when your customer is doing an initial scan of their inbox, their eyes pause on yours.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: large;">“48 Hour Sale”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: large;">“10 Ways to Increase Your ‘Likes’”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Urgency</span><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s an old marketing trick, but it works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Create a sense of urgency to get that email clicked through!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Last day to save big!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Scrapbooking Class TONIGHT”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: large;">Make the reader feel as if they will be missing out if they don’t open the email right away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;">Up, Up, and AWAY!</span></b><span style="color: #222222;">&nbsp;</span></span></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <!--EndFragment--><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: large;">Start using these tips in your next email blast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>You might need to experiment with a combination of Super Subjects to see what works for your customers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Check your click-through rates often and see if you discover a pattern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Suit up, Superfriend!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>You’re on your way!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159365965168842776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-26592017420392520702014-07-02T12:30:00.000-06:002014-07-02T12:30:29.266-06:00Are You Over-Thinking It?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o13vXfSCgG0/U7RPXik48II/AAAAAAAAAVw/vqELvdrEfjA/s1600/iStock_000026402860Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o13vXfSCgG0/U7RPXik48II/AAAAAAAAAVw/vqELvdrEfjA/s1600/iStock_000026402860Small.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">What if someone told you there was a no cost, low-maintenance, pressure-free way to gather customer information to be used in your marketing campaigns? What if the only tool you needed is most likely collecting dust on an office shelf? Sound too good to be true? It’s not.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Oftentimes, as business owners, we look toward the latest in technological applications to build our customer base. We scour the internet for tips on increasing our social media presence. Sometimes, though, simplicity can be a refreshing and welcome change to both the business owner and the customer.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">You might be surprised to hear that this simple and free marketing tool is a clipboard. A clipboard! That small, flat piece of wood or plastic with a metal clip just might be the missing link between you and your customers. While the clipboard itself may be unassuming and even boring, the way it is used can mean the difference in whether your business adds to its customer base or not.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Content</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">What you decide to put on your clipboard should be dictated by your customer demographic. Think about the people who enter your store, and ask yourself the following questions:</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">• What brings my customers into the store? (Discounts? Quality of product regardless of price? Promotions?)</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">• How do my customers like to be contacted?</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">• How will they be benefited by giving me their contact information?</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">After you’ve answered these questions, decide how you will entice your customers to leave their info. If your customer base is mostly drawn to the store by discounts, offer an email coupon to those who leave their email address. If discounts aren’t important to your customers, offer something that does matter to them – perhaps early notice of new product arrival. Some customers love a good party! Offer after-hours shopping invites to those who are willing to add their names to your clipboard.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Whatever you decide, be upfront about what lists you will add them to. If they’re going to receive a newsletter, let them know how often. Their ability to trust you as the owner of a business they frequent is of the utmost importance.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Placement</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">After format, placement is the most important step in introducing the clipboard to your business. It needs to be in a conspicuous area, but not so obtrusive that it’s annoying. For example, a clipboard next to the register may be convenient – unless it takes up so much counter space that it just gets in the way. In this case, placing the clipboard next to the exit may make more sense. If your business has a dressing room area, a thoughtfully placed clipboard can be very productive.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Experiment with placement, moving the clipboard around the store until you find an area that seems natural and convenient for your customers. You will find that this simple tool can be a very effective way to gather new customers for your email newsletter.</span>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159365965168842776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-86190020201587914742014-03-17T09:54:00.000-06:002014-03-17T09:54:33.893-06:004 Ways to Increase Click-Throughs<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_-GRHEhjGcY/UycaU_c6s1I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/vrI4dCwlxOs/s1600/clickhere.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_-GRHEhjGcY/UycaU_c6s1I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/vrI4dCwlxOs/s1600/clickhere.png" height="320" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your emails are only valuable if your subscribers eventually click through, either to engage with you or buy from you. That means the links in your emails have a very big job to do. Here are 4 things you can do to make your links more click-worthy.</span><br /><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>1. Use the optimal number of links.</b></span><br /><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Too many links in an email feels pushy, while too few can reduce clicks by not reminding the subscriber what they should do next. The optimal number of links will vary depending on the content and length of the email and your unique subscriber base, but a good rule of thumb is 2 or 3 links per email.</span><br /><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>2. Make the links look good.</b></span><br /><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">How you format the links in an email can have a big effect on click-throughs. Raw URLs, especially if they’re long and full of numbers and symbols, are hard to read and don’t inspire confidence. They may be necessary in some instances so your subscribers can copy and paste the URL into their browser, but more often than not, a cleaned-up link will outperform a raw URL. </span><br /><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">A couple ways to make your links attractive include:</span><br /></span><br /><ul><li style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.15;">shorten the URL with a service like Tinyurl or Bit.ly (i.e., goo.gl/3Dhnl8nD)</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">create a short redirect URL on your own or with a plugin like Pretty Link (i.e., yourbiz.com/webinar could redirect to the GoToWebinar sign-up form)</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">make the links underlined and colored so they catch the eye</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">put links on their own lines between paragraphs so they stand out</span></span></li></ul><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>3. Put links in the best places to attract clicks.</b></span><br /><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Generally, you want one link near the beginning of the email, so really interested subscribers hooked by your subject line can go straight to the next step. Another link in the middle of the email makes it easy for subscribers who want a little more information before they click. And a link at the end of the email catches more clicks from readers who prefer to read everything before deciding.</span><br /><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Of course, where you put links depends on knowing where the best places are. If you use link services like Bit.ly or Pretty Link, you can track which links get the most clicks, so you’ll know exactly where to put them in your next email.</span><br /><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>4. Give subscribers a reason to click.</b></span><br /><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally, make sure your subscribers have a reason to click through. Sometimes the reason is obvious, like a coupon or special offer. Other times might require a little creativity, such as when you want them to fill out a survey or read your latest blog post. Make sure they know exactly what they’ll get when they click. </span><br /><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">For the survey example, you might say that it’s simply a short questionnaire that will only take 2 minutes and lead to a better product or experience in the future. These reasons to click build your relationship with the subscriber, make them feel good for helping you, and increase their confidence and trust in you since you value their opinions and want to improve your offering. </span><br /></span>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159365965168842776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-30204612729370312852014-02-21T12:15:00.001-07:002014-02-21T12:18:52.767-07:00Boost Open Rates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--30u4qFBKbE/Uwell10tVMI/AAAAAAAAAUs/G2Dg4pWUz8s/s1600/email-blast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--30u4qFBKbE/Uwell10tVMI/AAAAAAAAAUs/G2Dg4pWUz8s/s1600/email-blast.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;">If your open rates aren’t as high as you’d like them to be, the “from” information of your emails might be part of the problem. If subscribers don’t recognize you, why should they open that email.</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;">Fortunately, the trick to solving this dilemma is pretty easy. Here are 3 ways to help your subscribers recognize your emails and increase open rates.</span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;"><strong>1. Choose an easily recognizable “from name.”</strong></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;">This is the first thing subscribers look at when they’re not sure if they should open that email or not, so choosing the right “from name” is critical. Ask yourself:</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;">How do people most quickly and easily recognize my business or organization?</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;">If you serve individual clients, they probably know you best by your name. If you have a lot of customers, they might know you better by the name of your brand or store. You can even combine the two names (i.e. Jason at Email Contact) to take advantage of how they know you and build more personal relationships at the same time.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;"><strong>2. Use a confidence-building “from email address.”</strong></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;">Branded email addresses build confidence and should be easy to recongize, both of which increase open rates. Using a branded email address is especially important if you opt to use your own name as the from name, because if subscribers don’t recognize just your name, they’ll look at the from email address to figure out who you are.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;">The from email address should also give them a clue as to the email’s contents, like these examples:</div><ul style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;"><li>jobs-listings@linkedin.com</li><li>renewalsdepartment@bluehost.com</li><li>support@dressingyourtruth.com</li><li>service@paypal.com</li></ul><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;">Generic from email addresses like&nbsp;info@yourbiz.com&nbsp;or&nbsp;no-reply@yourbiz.com&nbsp;do not build confidence or give people a reason to open your emails. In fact, a “no-reply” email address can look spammy.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;"><strong>3. Consider a branded subject line.</strong></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;">It can be helpful to include your brand name in the subject line to make sure subscribers recognize you. Many times branded subject lines outperform unbranded ones, so it’s worth testing. Small changes like this can make a big difference.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;"><br /><div dir="ltr">You can include your brand in the subject line either by writing it out or tacking it on at the beginning or end, like this:</div><ul><li>Spring Sale at Mary’s Crafts!</li><li>Spring Sale: Coupons Inside! [Mary’s Crafts]<br /></li></ul></div>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159365965168842776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-33525920701884689732014-02-06T16:26:00.000-07:002014-09-23T14:07:05.108-06:00Using Video In Email. Can It Be Done?<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Here's an online video presentation about using video in your emails.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" allowtransparency="true" class="wistia_embed" frameborder="0" height="380" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" name="wistia_embed" oallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="//fast.wistia.net/embed/iframe/gc38bpsftx?videoFoam=true" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="676"></iframe><script src="//fast.wistia.net/assets/external/iframe-api-v1.js"></script>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159365965168842776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-26001877374288940222014-01-23T16:00:00.001-07:002014-09-23T14:08:13.423-06:00It's All About The Image<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Here's the recording of the live presentation given earlier today. This presentation covers all the different ways you can display images within your email newsletter.</span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" allowtransparency="true" class="wistia_embed" frameborder="0" height="408" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" name="wistia_embed" oallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="//fast.wistia.net/embed/iframe/kmii07p6l3?videoFoam=true" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="676"></iframe><script src="//fast.wistia.net/assets/external/iframe-api-v1.js"></script>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159365965168842776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-80090167631115670112013-12-13T07:45:00.000-07:002013-12-13T07:45:32.931-07:00How to Boost Open Rates of Your Holiday Emails<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">During the winter holiday season, your customers’ inboxes are inundated with promotions and special deals on top of regular newsletters and holiday correspondence. That means you have to work extra hard for your emails to stand out from the competition this time of year. Here are some ways to keep your open rates high amid the flurry of holiday email marketing.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Offer an incentive or benefit in the subject line. </b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Depending on your organization and email marketing goals, the incentive to open the email could be just about anything from a free download to a coupon. Even exclusive or super useful information can be a great incentive if you craft your subject line just right. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">With so many other emails offering holiday deals and promotions, finding a good incentive besides coupons and sales can be tough--which is why the right benefit can boost open rates by a large percentage. To make this work, you have to really understand your subscribers and constantly test to find what works.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Use the right “from” name and address.</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If subscribers don’t recognize the “from name” or don’t remember subscribing, they’re not going to open your emails. Make sure your “from name” is properly branded and easily recognizable. This means using your organization name as part of the “from name,” as in “Support at Email Contact” or “Jason Holladay @ Email Contact.” </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Also use the most appropriate “from email address” for the type of communication you’re sending, such as support@yourdomain or returns@yourdomain.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Research and avoid using spam words.</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It can be helpful to know common spam filter phrases and avoid using them, especially in subject lines, so your emails aren’t blocked by spam filters. While there are some high-offense spam words that will trigger spam filters, many words or phrases can be once or twice without negative consequences. But they can add up fast if you’re not careful, so it pays to know what kinds of words and phrases will trigger spam filters.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The best way to do this is to simply focus on providing great value to your subscribers. Always test your emails before sending to your list to see if any words are flagged as spam, then adjust accordingly.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Occasionally use power words in your subject lines.</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The opposite of spam words, power phrases get subscribers’ attention and make them want to open the email. According to a study conducted by the Psychology Department at Yale University, there are 10 power words that, when used strategically in subject lines, can boost email open rates by up to 5%. Those 10 words are:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">10. New</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">9. Save</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">8. Safe/Safety</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">7. Proven</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">6. Love</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">5. Discover</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">4. Guarantee</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3. Health</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2. Results</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1. You</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Personalize with the recipient’s name and words like “you” and “your.”</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This creates the illusion of a personal conversation instead of mass broadcast from a faceless company, and it helps you answer the subscriber’s question, “What’s in it for me?” Personalizing also helps make your emails more useful and valuable, building trust so recipients are more likely to open your future emails.</span>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159365965168842776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-54832625994936570552013-11-07T10:46:00.000-07:002013-11-07T10:46:43.547-07:00How to Plan Seasonal Email Campaigns<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FoOGu4tgBVw/UnvM0skPm6I/AAAAAAAAASw/EVYpP4jKyMU/s1600/measure.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FoOGu4tgBVw/UnvM0skPm6I/AAAAAAAAASw/EVYpP4jKyMU/s400/measure.png" width="400" /></a></div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With the holiday season on our doorsteps, it’s time to plan an effective holiday email campaign. Ideally, planning for these campaigns should begin in August and September so you have time to refine them, but planning them now is much better than not planning them at all. Take advantage of the gift-giving nature of the season with these holiday email campaign tips.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s0Qg7VgQmGE/UnvOf_QL2bI/AAAAAAAAATA/d3viZUPcJBc/s1600/A-data.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s0Qg7VgQmGE/UnvOf_QL2bI/AAAAAAAAATA/d3viZUPcJBc/s1600/A-data.png" /></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Data</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Collecting data is the backbone of all good email marketing. Use both last year’s Q4 data and other information you’ve collected throughout the year to help you craft stronger subject lines, more click-worthy calls to action, and more valuable content. Email campaigns informed by data and testing always perform better than trusting a feeling or leaving success to luck.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UJJDwidzaSg/UnvOlaIY-SI/AAAAAAAAATI/Z0NPJwiUWhM/s1600/B-timing.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UJJDwidzaSg/UnvOlaIY-SI/AAAAAAAAATI/Z0NPJwiUWhM/s1600/B-timing.png" /></a></div><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Timing</span></span></h2><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">The biggest aspect of a successful seasonal email promotion is timing. It’s crucial to send the right message to the right subscribers at the right time. Reviewing data, segmenting your list, and understanding the demographics of your customers can help you do this. Also make sure your promotions allow enough time for shipping and in-store visits.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sv4sYANyx_Q/UnvOqJCUKQI/AAAAAAAAATQ/X7A2vge651c/s1600/C-frequency.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sv4sYANyx_Q/UnvOqJCUKQI/AAAAAAAAATQ/X7A2vge651c/s1600/C-frequency.png" /></a></div><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Frequency</span></span></h2><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">How often you send emails plays a large role in your conversions during the holidays, but be careful not to email too often. Everyone wants that coveted space in the inbox. If you choose to email more frequently, make sure to include a range of emails--not just coupons and promotions. Heart-warming stories and content are particularly applicable this time of year, and they help build relationships and make you stand out from your competition.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nwSuzM5b4SY/UnvOwnCTl1I/AAAAAAAAATY/0nsiONd1cxE/s1600/D-overlap.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nwSuzM5b4SY/UnvOwnCTl1I/AAAAAAAAATY/0nsiONd1cxE/s1600/D-overlap.png" /></a></div><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Overlap</span></span></h2><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you have multiple autoresponders or email cycles going, consider deactivating them during your holiday promotions to avoid too much overlap in content or frequency.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CJIafed4Ga0/UnvO0CszYhI/AAAAAAAAATg/VqCBa4919rY/s1600/E-duration.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CJIafed4Ga0/UnvO0CszYhI/AAAAAAAAATg/VqCBa4919rY/s1600/E-duration.png" /></a></div><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Duration</span></span></h2><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Keep up the email campaign and various promotions to the last minute to take advantage of Christmas Eve shopping. Some ideas include reducing friction by offering easy gift choices and buying guides, emphasizing urgency with a holiday countdown, promoting accelerated shipping options, and featuring last-minute gift alternatives like gift cards and vouchers.</span>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159365965168842776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-21703220334313299052013-10-09T22:33:00.000-06:002013-10-09T22:37:22.037-06:00What Elements Should You Include in Your Newsletter?<div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k1UceqN_wUc/UlYtm3Xpr4I/AAAAAAAAAQQ/FLMOJ3yuLQo/s1600/OutsideBox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k1UceqN_wUc/UlYtm3Xpr4I/AAAAAAAAAQQ/FLMOJ3yuLQo/s400/OutsideBox.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Knowing what components to include in your next email newsletter can be tricky, especially if you don’t yet have much data to indicate what content your customers and subscribers want. On the one hand, you want to offer exclusive, high-quality content they can’t find anywhere else, so they learn to trust you and want to engage with you. At the same time, your emails need to drive traffic and sales to support your business. It’s a delicate balancing act. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you’re unsure what to include in your email newsletters, follow these guidelines until you have collected enough data to decide if you should do something differently.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If your goal is to build trust, loyalty, and engagement:</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exclusive, high-quality, super useful content is the way to go. Include articles, tips, and tutorials that directly help subscribers ease their most pressing pains and solve their biggest problems. Tell success stories and anecdotes to connect with your subscribers on an emotional level and show them what’s possible. Share special news you’ve discovered or deals you’ve secured just for them. Use questions, polls, and surveys to get valuable feedback. These elements of your newsletter help customers get to know and like you, encourage them to trust you, and prompt them to engage with you.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If your goal is to send traffic to your website:</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For this goal, you add links to the amazing content that builds trust and engagement. Include articles and tips that link to relevant pages on your website, such as products, tutorials, videos, instructions, or white papers. You could also include summaries of recent blog posts with links to the full articles or include a calendar element with links to each event. Individual email blasts separate from your newsletter can also effectively drive traffic to your website. The trick is to clearly convey the value of clicking each link. Be careful not to overwhelm your subscribers with too many options.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If your goal is to increase leads and sales:</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">High-quality, relevant content that builds trust and engagement is still very important for this goal, but it might take different forms. In addition to articles, tips, or tutorials that truly help your subscribers, consider including customer spotlights and success stories, which show customers what’s possible and illustrate how your products or services are helping others. Testimonials provide concrete proof of either your company’s trustworthiness or the usefulness of a particular product. One way to build engagement and get leads is to host events such as webinars or virtual product demos; include a special section to invite subscribers to participate. Don’t forget coupons, sales, special deals, and other promotions, but don’t overdo any of these elements, either.</span></span><br /><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b> <br /><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b> <br /><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b> <br /><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b> <br /><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b> <br /><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b> Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159365965168842776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-57119537535042129652013-08-13T16:59:00.000-06:002013-10-07T10:04:58.096-06:00The Best Day & Time to Send Your Email Newsletter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h2><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qO749VIZJUk/Ugq6EgKE56I/AAAAAAAAAP8/Uq561759Qpw/s1600/inbox.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qO749VIZJUk/Ugq6EgKE56I/AAAAAAAAAP8/Uq561759Qpw/s320/inbox.png" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Figuring out the best time to send your emails to increase opens and clicks is a tough question to answer. So much depends on your customers and your industry. Some of the biggest names in email marketing have conducted massive case studies to answer exactly this question. Here’s some data we found.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">When subscribers are checking their email:&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most people check their email first thing when they get to work and last thing before they leave. That means open rates are often highest from 8 to 10 am and 3 to 4 pm. Similarly, click-through rates tend be to be highest from 8 to 9 am, 3 to 4 pm, and 8 to 9 pm as people check their emails again in the evening. The lunch hour is also a popular time for your subscribers to check their emails.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If your subscribers live in many different time zones, you’ll definitely want to segment your list by location so you can send your email newsletter at the best local time.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the time your emails will be most visible:&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">These case studies found that most emails are sent between midnight and 6 am so that subscribers see these messages first thing in the morning. While this has become a popular thing to do because it’s effective, the problem with this trend is that your emails can get lost in the clutter. Emails sent in the afternoon tend to have greater visibility, leading to more opens and clicks.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the day your emails will be most visible:&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tuesdays and Thursdays tend to have the highest volume of sent emails. So sending your email newsletter on a different day can also help increase its visibility. Overall volume of sent emails is lowest over the weekend, making emails you send on Saturday and Sunday more visible--if your subscribers read their emails over the weekend.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">In some industries, weekend open rates tend to be higher than during the week, and with the rise of mobile devices, no one ever really leaves work or logs out of their email accounts anymore. It might be worth experimenting with weekend emails, especially if you sell consumer products or services, but you have to know your audience.&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When subscribers are most interested in your messages:&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People tend to respond to different kinds of messages better at different times of the day. First thing in the morning, most people are open to any type of content or promotion. In the afternoon, between about 3 and 7 pm, many people respond better to financial, property, or B2B messages. In the evening, B2C emails often get the best responses as people do their personal shopping before a promotion ends. These timing trends vary widely by industry and niche.&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-081e56fb-784a-090f-d10d-7e221803d063"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;">There is no one best time to send emails for everyone, but you can discover the best time for your subscribers with constant testing. Send your emails on different days, at different times, and compare the results. Once you’ve collected enough data, the results will speak for themselves.</span></span></span></span></span></h2><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b> </span><br /><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159365965168842776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-78860360818625291652013-07-16T12:34:00.000-06:002013-07-16T13:37:23.172-06:00How to Write Email Calls-to-Action that Actually Convert<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="goog_638511337"></span><span id="goog_638511338"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qSexqmEWZtY/UeWQoJdC_aI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/nqTWfsnjCLI/s1600/clickhere.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qSexqmEWZtY/UeWQoJdC_aI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/nqTWfsnjCLI/s320/clickhere.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">There’s lots to know about creating calls-to-action (CTAs) that work--copy, design, size of the button, placement on the page, and more. But you can boost your conversions by following a few copywriting best practices and guidelines. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; line-height: 27px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Best Practices to Use in Every CTA</span></div><h3><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Make sure the CTA is well-aligned to your customers’ needs.</strong> <span style="font-weight: normal;">If the subject of the email doesn’t match the offer, or if either one of them doesn’t match your audience, that mismatch creates a disconnect that confuses the subscriber, making him or her less likely to follow through. This is why keyword and customer research is so vital.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div></h3><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Make sure your calls-to-action deliver lots of value.</strong> Before subscribers will click the call-to-action in your email blast, they have to believe they will get some value out of doing so. Consider the top 2 or 3 benefits of your offer. Choose the most important one, and then try to distill it in as few words as possible. That helps you emphasize the value of your offer and strengthen its alignment.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Make sure your CTAs embody a sense of urgency.</strong> Subscribers are more likely to follow through when your call-to-action gives them a reason to act immediately. This is why so many offers have special discounts, seasonal sales, or limited availability.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Make your calls-to-action as clear and concise as possible.</strong> Vague and verbose language decreases the value of your offer, makes you seem less credible and confident, and leaves subscribers wondering what they should do next. On the other hand, clear and concise CTA copy cements the value of your offer, builds prospects’ comfort and confidence in you, and guides them exactly where you want them.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; line-height: 27px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Guidelines to Experiment With</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Use numbers in your CTAs.</strong> Numbers and data points are very specific, and have been proven to boost conversion rates. Numbers can also help convince subscribers of the value of your offer and your confidence in it.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Ask questions in your calls-to-action.</strong> Questions grab attention and interest, and many subscribers will click through just to find out the answer, giving you additional opportunities to help them convert.</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Use endorsements and social proof in your CTAs.</strong> Testimonials, reviews, certifications, logos, badges, and other third-party endorsements make you more trustworthy and help alleviate subscribers’ fears, making them more likely to convert.</span></div>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159365965168842776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-53221151535604883832012-10-31T21:15:00.001-06:002012-10-31T22:32:16.445-06:00End of Year Marketing Strategies<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pCB6wu6X7NA/UJHpF8UfyJI/AAAAAAAAAOA/QtYClJ4OJbY/s1600/HiRes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pCB6wu6X7NA/UJHpF8UfyJI/AAAAAAAAAOA/QtYClJ4OJbY/s320/HiRes.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">The holiday shopping season, which once began shortly after Thanksgiving, has steadily crept forward until Santa often arrives accompanied by the Great Pumpkin. The <a href="http://www.haygroup.com/ww/press/details.aspx?id=34673">Hay Group</a> reports that 42% of retailers will begin their promotion blitz in October, well before Black Friday. Sometimes it’s difficult to know just when you should kick off your year-end campaign and the best way to do it, but if you haven’t moved that direction yet, don’t panic – Plan! Here are some quick tips to get you started.</span></div><h3><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="font-size: large;">1.&nbsp; Start Now.</span></h3><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Look backward to see what items or promotions have worked best for you in the past and then look at the weeks between now and the end of the year to plan a series of promotions that tap into those strengths. What products have the best saleability this season? Could you host in-store events that will attract foot traffic? How can you use your web site to maximize exposure? Make a list, grab a calendar, and start sketching out your holiday plan to include several distinct promotions that highlight an event or products.</span></div><h3><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="font-size: large;">2.&nbsp; Be Strategic.</span></h3><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">What things do you need to do to ensure success? Have you ordered enough merchandise? Do you have good pictures and descriptions of your holiday items? How long should each distinct promotion last? How far ahead should you send out your email post card or newsletter? When will you write the articles and plan newsletter elements? Don’t put off making these decisions or taking care of details. A few extra minutes spent in planning and preparation now will provide valuable breathing space during the press of holiday stress. Check with your vendors to make sure you’ll have what you need when you want it; Write articles and product spotlights now so that they are readily available for each email newsletter or postcard.&nbsp; </span></div><h3><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="font-size: large;">3.&nbsp; Give your Series a Theme.</span></h3><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Use the same holiday template and theme (Twelve Days of Christmas Cheer; A Season of Savings, etc.) on each communication to create consistency, provide recognition, and save you time, but feature a different promotion (Make-n-take night) or product (one day only). As soon as customers open your email, they’ll look for the current offering. Be sure to let them know early enough that they have time to plan to attend your event.</span></div><h3><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="font-size: large;">4.&nbsp; Focus on Service.</span></h3><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">You may not be able to match the big box prices, but you can overshadow them by providing the services people seek. Offer services that appeal to a range of customers. Gift cards or unique gift packs help make selection easier for those unfamiliar with your product but who are buying for people who love it. Free gift wrapping or inexpensive wrapping provided by a service organization removes one more thing from a busy mother’s to-do list. Make-n-Take classes or festive special events with holiday goodies and music attract those who enjoy being immersed in the holiday spirit. Other popular items are free shipping, overnight or express delivery, a customer-friendly return policy, and online pick and pull so their order is ready when they arrive.</span></div><h3><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="font-size: large;">5. Share the Joy.</span></h3><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Enthusiasm is contagious. Involve your employees in your plans and have them encourage walk-in customers to sign up for the newsletter to learn about each week’s special.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, the holiday season is already upon us, but there is still ample time to magnify the possibilities with a good marketing plan….and Email Contact!</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2174804672703695740" name="_GoBack"></a></div><!--EndFragment-->Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159365965168842776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-14221553524805202932012-07-18T15:23:00.001-06:002012-10-31T09:18:16.185-06:00Email Marketing for This Economy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f_FwvBCvya0/UAcg1m_nSqI/AAAAAAAAAMs/YVQf9xMGMoU/s1600/savings.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f_FwvBCvya0/UAcg1m_nSqI/AAAAAAAAAMs/YVQf9xMGMoU/s320/savings.png" width="196" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today’s economy continues to emphasize a need of high returns for minimal investment. Most marketing avenues available come with a big price tag. We’re happy to provide an alternative that boasts big gains with minimal investment - Email marketing.&nbsp;</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">In short, Email marketing is a tool to reach out to your current customer base as well as potentially reach new customers in the form of a newsletter. It’s fast, easy and inexpensive.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Don’t think you have the time? Think again. It’s never been easier. With the help of Email Contact the hardest part is already done for you! No need to worry about formatting, managing emails or making it look great. All you have to do is generate some content and fill in the blanks.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If you’ve had a hard time making time, you’re not alone. Scott of JonesTshirts.com says:</span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ob5oNIDBJJw/UAcjDFAFpCI/AAAAAAAAAM0/9RhM-7A8X_c/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-07-18+at+2.55.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ob5oNIDBJJw/UAcjDFAFpCI/AAAAAAAAAM0/9RhM-7A8X_c/s200/Screen+Shot+2012-07-18+at+2.55.42+PM.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jonestshirts.com/">jonestshirts.com</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“I've had an account with Email Contact for a couple years now but for a long time I didn't use it as often as I would have liked. As a small business, there are so many things that occupy my time, I probably would only send an email once every 3 or 4 months. I recently started utilizing it more often as I have read studies and talked to other small business owners that have said once a week is the best practice, even if it's just a quick little email with some news or updates about what you have to offer. The idea is that you want to stay fresh on the minds of your customers so if and when they are ready to order something, you stand out in their minds. So now it is my Tuesday night ritual to put together a little email with special offers that vary from week to week and other fun things like drawings, contests and new photo submissions to our wall of fame. Because I have been utilizing Email Contact weekly, I've become much more familiar with how to use it and it has become super easy and user friendly. I would highly recommend this service to any business owner looking to get an edge on their market.” - Scott J., <a href="http://www.jonestshirts.com/" target="_blank">JonesTshirts.com </a></span></blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Gail, of Woolylady agrees about the importance of keeping your business in front of your customers on a regular basis.</span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bPAjze5BVxs/UAckeOLxH4I/AAAAAAAAAM8/xgepxjepTCU/s1600/wool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bPAjze5BVxs/UAckeOLxH4I/AAAAAAAAAM8/xgepxjepTCU/s400/wool.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.woolylady.com/" target="_blank">Woolylady</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"Email Contact is simply one of the best (and most economical) marketing tools we've found! The newsletter templates are fantastic, the program is very easy to use, and the results are instant and very positive. One of the basic keys to success in the business world is to look professional and keep your name in front of potential customers. It takes us about 15 minutes to write, design and send an e-mail newsletter to thousands of people through Email Contact, and the cost for the service is minimal. What's not to love about that?" - Gail Gilson Pierce, <a href="http://www.woolylady.com/" target="_blank">Woolylady </a></span></blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Not only is email marketing a great way to reach customers, it’s also a great way to maintain that customer base you’ve already worked so hard for. You’ve invested a great deal into finding customers, let email marketing help you keep them! Regular contact from you will help customers feel connected and informed with your business. Don’t lose those customers you’ve already invested so much in.<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Roseann Kermes shares the many reasons why she uses Email contact:</span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WGeYjEm9otI/UAcnYZlIbiI/AAAAAAAAANU/opOeepbm8W8/s1600/rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WGeYjEm9otI/UAcnYZlIbiI/AAAAAAAAANU/opOeepbm8W8/s1600/rose.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rosebuds-cottage.com/" target="_blank">Rosebud's Cottage</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“I've been using email contact for longer than I can remember! I find that my posts go out quickly compared to the service I had been using before. The program is affordable - I don't have to pay extra if I go over an allotted number of posts each month. I also like that I can put my customers in a variety of lists. It lets me communicate with just a class group or my entire list of customers. The templates are fun to use and I always find something that suits my mood. Email Contact has great customer service as well. They are easy to work with when I have something I don't understand and don't talk down to me over speak over my head. I can't imagine using any other service and recommend it to other businesses looking for a good program for communicating with their customers.” - Roseann Kermes, <a href="http://www.rosebuds-cottage.com/" target="_blank">Rosebud's Cottage</a></span></blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Think about it, emails are sent immediately and they can generate results in minutes, making email marketing both effective and inexpensive. Few business tools can offer so much for so little. <b>What are you waiting for?</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Share your comments below...</span>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159365965168842776noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-56488632897285171142012-04-19T09:14:00.001-06:002012-04-19T09:14:36.715-06:00Learning to Succeed<br /><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Everyone wants to find success in their work. We all strive to have our efforts rewarded.&nbsp;In the industry of marketing, weʼve recently covered several tips and suggestions for&nbsp;achieving success in your email newsletters.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MIWV7s2Ermw/T5Ao286OCeI/AAAAAAAAAK8/lv6aLUYdKtE/s1600/leaf.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MIWV7s2Ermw/T5Ao286OCeI/AAAAAAAAAK8/lv6aLUYdKtE/s1600/leaf.gif" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In lesson one, we discussed the need for <a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2011/11/everyone-wants-to-succeed.html" target="_blank">structure</a>. To hit a target, it must first be seen.&nbsp;Taking time to draw up that target is not unlike creating blueprints for a building. It is a&nbsp;critical first step to see beyond the immediate task to the great picture of how it all works&nbsp;together.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b0rndStXfbQ/T5Ao83SW9QI/AAAAAAAAALE/qFQX5JlwwUg/s1600/2ferrari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b0rndStXfbQ/T5Ao83SW9QI/AAAAAAAAALE/qFQX5JlwwUg/s1600/2ferrari.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In lesson two, we shared the importance of being <a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2011/11/succeed-being-useful.html" target="_blank">useful</a>. This step requires a lot of&nbsp;research and questioning on what you are providing. How that product is unique, useful&nbsp;and of value to those you wish to reach with your newsletter.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2011/12/succeed-being-clear.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bjc6CS0Cxl8/T5ApBr8UgJI/AAAAAAAAALM/zinL0qUHbRs/s1600/3Clear.png" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lesson three provided direction on being <a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2011/12/succeed-being-clear.html" target="_blank">clear</a>. Clutter is easily accomplished,&nbsp;especially with writing. It is important to take time to clarify and hone in on the message&nbsp;you wish to convey.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FfWWpyUpvy8/T5ApI8IV_-I/AAAAAAAAALU/OMfbP6SB3gE/s1600/4cooking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FfWWpyUpvy8/T5ApI8IV_-I/AAAAAAAAALU/OMfbP6SB3gE/s1600/4cooking.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In lesson four, we discussed the value of <a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2012/01/succeed-being-convenient.html" target="_blank">convenience</a> and how important it is to find&nbsp;and maintain a balance between providing meaningful information and keeping things&nbsp;simple.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--c4xTZhNxJA/T5ApRt3VA1I/AAAAAAAAALc/bHUr5tLuKrY/s1600/5case.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--c4xTZhNxJA/T5ApRt3VA1I/AAAAAAAAALc/bHUr5tLuKrY/s1600/5case.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In lesson five the importance of creating a work worthy of reading was introduced. The&nbsp;word is <a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2012/01/succeed-being-estimable.html" target="_blank">estimable</a> and the focus was putting the needs and considerations of your&nbsp;readers first to produce a work that is honorable.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L7PzvSfhq6k/T5ApWdRItMI/AAAAAAAAALk/04BLzmSX6Ag/s1600/6puzzlepiece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L7PzvSfhq6k/T5ApWdRItMI/AAAAAAAAALk/04BLzmSX6Ag/s1600/6puzzlepiece.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lesson six talked on the need for <a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2012/03/succeed-being-efficient.html" target="_blank">efficiency</a>. Taking time to work through the material&nbsp;and organize it into manageable sections is critical to providing a work that reflects&nbsp;doing everything the best possible way.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2012/03/succeed-being-definitive.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ajEv0JDGexY/T5ApbscrgOI/AAAAAAAAALs/ZVixahhDvn8/s1600/7Bulb.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Finally, we reached the wrap up element of being <a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2012/03/succeed-being-definitive.html" target="_blank">definitive</a>. When all the other steps&nbsp;are included, creating a work that is complete comes into focus. The key is to create&nbsp;something beyond the ordinary through work and effort.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And now we see the results:</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br /><div style="font-family: Times; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="font-family: Times; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">S -&nbsp;<a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2011/11/everyone-wants-to-succeed.html" target="_blank">Structured</a><br />U -&nbsp;<a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2011/11/succeed-being-useful.html">Useful</a><br />C -&nbsp;<a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2011/12/succeed-being-clear.html" target="">Clear</a>&nbsp;</span></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">C -&nbsp;<a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2012/01/succeed-being-convenient.html" target="_blank">Convenient</a></span></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: Times; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">E -&nbsp;<a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2012/01/succeed-being-estimable.html" target="">Estimable</a></span></div></div></div></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">E -</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2012/03/succeed-being-efficient.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Efficient</span></a></span></div></div></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">D - <a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2012/03/succeed-being-definitive.html" target="_blank">Definitive</a></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Seven steps to help you succeed.</span></div>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159365965168842776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-1487478630886855402012-03-27T09:13:00.000-06:002012-03-27T09:17:23.470-06:00Succeed being Definitive<br /><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Itʼs time to wrap up this series by adding <b>definitive </b>to the list of ideas for great email&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">marketing.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Letʼs start with what you want your marketing campaign to be: complete, absolute,&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ultimate, supreme. Each of these words are synonyms for definitive. Clearly, this is one&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">direction you want your newsletter to go.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A few simple questions can help you in your quest to create a definitive work.</span><br /><br /><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Is my writing complete?</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Is my writing reliable?</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Is my writing authoritative?</span></li></ul></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SGeYkJ_uzjs/T3HXwEdNjeI/AAAAAAAAAKs/7F_TlPXq9qg/s1600/Bulb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SGeYkJ_uzjs/T3HXwEdNjeI/AAAAAAAAAKs/7F_TlPXq9qg/s320/Bulb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #232323;"><i>"Genius is one percent inspiration and&nbsp;ninety-nine<br />percent&nbsp;</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #232323;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">perspiration." - Thomas Edison</span></i></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Every good work starts with an idea. Like the light bulb, the idea comes together with&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">other elements within a framework that provides a final result of definitive proportions.&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And like Edison, the writer must expend a great deal of perspiration to arrive at&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">excellence. In short, this is the difference weʼre describing. Anyone can write, but the&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">point is to produce something truly excellent. Edison tested thousands of options for&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">filaments before finding the best. Did you know he moved beyond just success at&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">finding a filament that burned (for less than 40 hours) until he produced a bulb that&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">could glow for over 1500 hours? Thatʼs the difference weʼre talking about. He summed it&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #232323; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">up best when he said, </span><i>"Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent&nbsp;</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #232323;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">perspiration."</span></i></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The elements of your light bulb include the other tips covered in this series. If youʼve&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">taken time to focus on structure followed by providing information that is useful, clear,&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">convenient, estimable and efficient you have everything you need to make your work&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">definitive.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The next time you sit down to write your newsletter, think about that light bulb. Take your&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">work beyond the bounds of what works into the realms of definitive enlightenment.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Other articles in this series:</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2011/11/everyone-wants-to-succeed.html">Structured</a><br /><a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2011/11/succeed-being-useful.html">Useful</a><br /><a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2011/12/succeed-being-clear.html" target="">Clear</a></span><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></span></span></div></div><div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2012/01/succeed-being-convenient.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Convenient</span></a></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2012/01/succeed-being-estimable.html" target="">Estimable</a></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2012/03/succeed-being-efficient.html" target="_blank">Efficient</a></span></div>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159365965168842776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-36444052493000173582012-03-08T12:00:00.000-07:002012-03-08T12:00:15.564-07:00Succeed being Efficient<br /><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Weʼre adding <b>efficient </b>to our growing list of ideas for creating success in email&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">marketing. This is a great addition to structure, usefulness, clarity, convenience and&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">estimable.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The word efficient is an adjective, a description word. It can, and should be put in front&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">of every word weʼve already discussed. It means to do everything the best way&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">possible. When efficiency is a factor, waste of time and effort are minimized. And who&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">doesnʼt want that?</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">While learning to be proficient is an individual process, there are a few basic steps that&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">can really help you develop the skill.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">First, organize and review.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Next, plan an organizational blueprint.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Finally, stay focused.</span></li></ul><br /><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div both;="" center;="" class="separator style=" clear:="" text-align:=""></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AFAnKg8jb3A/T1kBl6S0AEI/AAAAAAAAAKg/Nq_CZoKDeOM/s1600/puzzlepiece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AFAnKg8jb3A/T1kBl6S0AEI/AAAAAAAAAKg/Nq_CZoKDeOM/s320/puzzlepiece.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Compare these steps to working on a puzzle. When you open the box and dump out the&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">contents, the first thing you have to do is flip over the pieces to see what you have to&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">work with. Itʼs also a smart idea to keep the cover handy so you can see what youʼre&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">working for. The wise puzzle lover makes their next move one of organization and&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">planning. They separate edge pieces from the rest, enabling them to put together the&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">frame of the puzzle with greater ease. With the frame built, filling in the details becomes&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">more manageable. They continue the process of organizing pieces and work at their&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">placement until everything fits. The key difference between the amateur and expert is&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">their focus and practice.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is the pattern to follow. You evaluate all your data and resources, organize it and&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">create a framework, then work on filling it. One of the real tricks is realizing you have to&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">take time to make time. That means, you have to take time to do the menial and&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">organizational steps in order to speed your progress later. In short, you become more&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">efficient. Most people try to cut corners to save time and wind up losing more than they&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">gained, hence the saying “Haste makes waste.” So take time to lay out that puzzle&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">youʼre working on. Keep your eye on the prize and your hands on task. Now, youʼre on&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the path to becoming efficient.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Other articles in this series:</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span><br /><div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2011/11/everyone-wants-to-succeed.html">Structured</a><br /><a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2011/11/succeed-being-useful.html">Useful</a><br /><a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2011/12/succeed-being-clear.html" target="">Clear</a></span><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2012/01/succeed-being-convenient.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Convenient</span></a></span></div></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2012/01/succeed-being-estimable.html" target="">Estimable</a></span></div>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159365965168842776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-43309427514727894052012-01-25T10:37:00.000-07:002012-01-25T10:37:47.745-07:00Succeed being Estimable<span style="font-size: large;">So far in the series weʼve talked about the importance of structure, usefulness, clarity and convenience. If youʼve spent any time focusing on these points while compiling your email marketing campaign and newsletters, youʼre ready to see some results of how youʼve made your material estimable.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The worthy goal of having your work be estimable is, simply put, to create something reputable or honorable.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Try this exercise. Think of some published works (anything in print) and identify whether they are worthy of respect. By way of natural deduction, youʼve probably already identified several that are not as well. Look over your list of those deemed honorable and those not. What separates the two? What identifiers stood out that caused judgement one way or the other? Your answers are your guide.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Let me add to your list of considerations the word charming. At first this may seem odd, perhaps even a bit quaint - a charming newsletter you may ask. But if you truly understand charm you canʼt help but make the association. You see, the simplest definition of charm is bringing out the best in others. And that is what your newsletterʼs end game should be.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CzA_s3ttUFA/TyA6lpoI1xI/AAAAAAAAAKE/0AmuNiIEi9s/s1600/iStock_000003067724XSmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CzA_s3ttUFA/TyA6lpoI1xI/AAAAAAAAAKE/0AmuNiIEi9s/s320/iStock_000003067724XSmall.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thinking of others and how to bring out the best in them<br />unlocks potential. It is the catalyst for action; the very<br />path to making something estimable.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">Letʼs put this into a visual example. Picture in your mind a beautiful jewelry box, very ornate and detailed. It taunts you with the possibility of treasures within. You donʼt just want the box, you want whatʼs inside it too. Now think of your newsletter. It is the jewelry box. Youʼve spent a great deal of time creating it, detailing it and filling it with items of value for your recipient. But did you remember to give them a key to open it?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Charm is the key to your box. Thinking of others and how to bring out the best in them unlocks potential. It is the catalyst for action; the very path to making something estimable. It inspires one to reach new heights, to stretch abilities and expound on possibilities for growth.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Forget generals - general audiences, general topics, general mediocrity. Start thinking specifics. Think of individuals, their needs and their potential. This is the way to estimable success.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Other articles in this series:</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2011/11/everyone-wants-to-succeed.html">Structured</a><br /><a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2011/11/succeed-being-useful.html">Useful</a><br /><a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2011/12/succeed-being-clear.html" target="">Clear</a></span><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><br /><a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2012/01/succeed-being-convenient.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Convenient</span></a>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159365965168842776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-9092917617803309532012-01-03T09:53:00.000-07:002012-01-05T09:11:49.401-07:00Succeed being Convenient<span style="font-size: large;">In our succeed series thus far, weʼve covered the importance of being structured, useful and clear. Itʼs time to talk about the necessity of being convenient.<br />&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes looking at things backwards is a great way to define what you want. In determining how to make your email marketing convenient, letʼs start with a definition of the opposite; inconvenience.<br />&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">When you think of the word inconvenience, a pretty clear image comes to mind. But take it one step further by adding these definitive words to your understanding: discomfort, nuisance, bother, trouble, annoy, disturb, harass.<br />&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">That sounds far too familiar in the world of marketing. Just ask any person whoʼs received a couple solicitation phone calls. Sadly, itʼs far too likely that all of us have personal experience with the concept of being inconvenienced. These are definitely terms and feelings you want to avoid with your marketing. So letʼs look at this from your reader and customerʼs point of view.<br />&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">To avoid bothering, annoying and harassing your clients, think for a moment on how to flip that. Your goal should be to find ways your message fits in well with a personʼs needs, activities or plans. It should involve little trouble or effort on their part. If youʼve been following the series, youʼre already on the right track because these are the very principles weʼve already discussed. Setting yourself a plan, determining how what you can provide is both useful and clear are the keys to making your message a convenient one. But thatʼs not enough. You must also consider other factors here, like frequency and length.</span><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vA_e4qW1Ddg/TwXHDPlBPtI/AAAAAAAAAJU/mtiiNbehkY0/s1600/cooking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vA_e4qW1Ddg/TwXHDPlBPtI/AAAAAAAAAJU/mtiiNbehkY0/s320/cooking.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dress up that bland dish with some spice!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">How often will you be sending your marketing material? You may want to start by asking yourself how often you would want to receive the type of material you are sending. Finding a balance between too little and too much is critical. And what of length? Well, thereʼs an old adage for that: “Your material should be like a womanʼs skirt, long enough to cover the subject but short enough to be interesting.” If you find your content running long, consider breaking it up over several mailings. Another great option for adding variety and cutting down length is to diversify delivery. A simple coupon or thank you discount goes a long way. Think of these tactics as your seasoning in cooking. Dress up that bland dish with some spice!</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Empower yourself and your business by taking time to think on making your email marketing a convenient one. A little consideration will do much for your campaign and your clients will appreciate your efforts.<br />&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Other articles in this series:<br /><a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2011/11/everyone-wants-to-succeed.html">Structured</a><br /><a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2011/11/succeed-being-useful.html">Useful</a><br /><a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2011/12/succeed-being-clear.html" target="">Clear</a></span>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159365965168842776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-42639481276732497872011-12-12T16:12:00.000-07:002011-12-12T16:24:41.554-07:00Succeed being Clear<span style="font-size: large;">In the continuation of our series on success, we add being clear to structured and useful.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />The dictionary defines clear as being easy to perceive, understand or interpret. In sharing messages with your customers this is imperative.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />This W. E. Hill image is widely known.<br />&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YVw89_ykm8k/TuaMTpxhfvI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/cqv1oAi9lyY/s1600/Clear.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YVw89_ykm8k/TuaMTpxhfvI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/cqv1oAi9lyY/s320/Clear.gif" width="220" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">The question for the viewer is which image do you see first? The old woman or the young lady? There are pictures of both within the same image.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">These kinds of illusions and overlaid objects can be a fun distraction when it comes to art, but a most damaging element if your marketing messages follow the same pattern.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Take time to review your newsletter to ensure what you are sharing is clear and concise. Your message should be plain and bright, free of distractions and unfamiliar language. In short, think of this W. E. Hill image when you write and make sure your finished work is a single image easy to see and understand.<br />&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Hereʼs a few tips to consider:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">1) Clear thoughts produce clear results. The key to clarity is to say what you mean in as few words as possible.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">2) Read your message out loud. There is something about verbalizing your writing that simply canʼt be duplicated through any other means.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">3) Review, revise, repeat. It takes work to be concise. It takes time and effort to make revisions until the work is satisfactory.<br />&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Consider this quote by F Scott Fitzgerald:</span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;“You don't write because you want to say something, you write because you have something to say.”</span></blockquote><span style="font-size: large;">That says it all. Write because you have something to say, something to share, something to market. Your efforts in presenting a clear message will provide you clear results.</span><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Other articles in this series:</span></b><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2011/11/everyone-wants-to-succeed.html" target="_blank">Structured</a></span><br /><a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2011/11/succeed-being-useful.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2011/11/succeed-being-useful.html" target="_blank">Useful</a> </span>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159365965168842776noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2174804672703695740.post-17404819429955968992011-11-30T09:50:00.001-07:002011-12-12T16:23:13.088-07:00Succeed Being Useful<span style="font-size: large;">In the continuation of our series on success, we add to structure the importance of being useful. <br /><br />It has been said that just because one can do something doesn’t necessarily mean one should. In the case of business marketing, this is too often the case. It could be that it is too painful to truly evaluate, or perhaps it seems too obvious to spend any time on. Whatever the reason, it can be a critical oversight. <br /><br />Even if it feels obvious, take the time to ask what value exists in what you provide.&nbsp; Does it provide meaning to someone? If so, who is that someone? This is how you identify your target audience. You can waste valuable resources trying to build interest in a general audience. To obtain meaningful response, you must first identify for whom your information has meaning. For example, if I sell pianos, the value I add is to the lives of musicians and those who appreciate music. After all, they are who will benefit from what I can share and thus they will have genuine interest in what I have to say. For me to share a newsletter on pianos to a group of car mechanics would provide less than desirable results. However, if I share that same newsletter with a group of music teachers I’ve drastically increased my potential for success. To come more to the point, I’ve just “tuned in” to my customer.<br /></span><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NBIik7EMHDM/TtZe7AksnGI/AAAAAAAAAEY/JG-85kEIhyo/s1600/ferrari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NBIik7EMHDM/TtZe7AksnGI/AAAAAAAAAEY/JG-85kEIhyo/s320/ferrari.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Find your Ferrari and you're on your way to a finish line of success.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> Now, to maximize potential, you can take this exercise one step further. Be a specialist, or at least identify your specialty. This is where true power lies. Too often we are blinded by the size of potential. The wise man knows that more often than not, less is more. Take Gerald Roush; a man with a focused interest in a particular car, the Ferrari to be exact. He didn’t try to make money sharing his passion with all auto lovers. No, he focused his energies and thus his audience. Last year his bi-weekly published compilation of Ferrari information, the Ferrari Market Letter had 5,000 subscribers. Now, that may seem a low number, especially compared to the estimated *10.2 million readers of the leading auto magazine. But at the $130.00 per year subscription, 5,000 becomes a most meaningful number indeed. The reason for success is simple. Roush was sharing useful information to people who shared his passion, the information was relevant and desired; it was useful and therefore generated value. <br /><br />So the real question to ask is if what you’re sharing is relevant, applicable and useful. Find your Ferrari and you’re on your way to a finish line of success.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/*http://www.magsdirect.com/caranddriver-information.html">*http://www.magsdirect.com/caranddriver-information.html</a></span><br /><br /><b>Other articles in this series:</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://blog.emailcontact.com/2011/11/everyone-wants-to-succeed.html" target="_blank">Structured </a></span>Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159365965168842776noreply@blogger.com0